Body compressed and deep, its depth 2.0 to 2.3 times in standard length. Mouth small; teeth slender and strongly lobate, 8 on each side on both jaws. Dorsal fin with 9 spines and 24 to 27 soft rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 22 to 24 soft rays. Caudal fin lunate, the upper lobe longer. Scales rudimentary on head and over nape, becoming ctenoid and in angular rows on body. Lancet-shaped spine on side of caudal peduncle which folds into a deep horizontal groove. Gill rakers on anterior row:20-24; on posterior row:18-23.